Bellevue Pond at Middlesex Fells Reservation

Bellevue Pond is a seasonal pond on South Border Road in Medford, in the western Middlesex Fells, with a gated DCR lot next to it. Trails and wide fire roads circle the pond, and some of them climb to Wright's Tower.

DCR also names it as a starting point for the Skyline Trail.

Parking at Bellevue Pond

The Bellevue Pond lot is about 0.2 miles up South Border Road from Roosevelt Circle, on the right. It's free. It's also one of the gated lots: the gate usually opens at 9 AM and is locked within a half hour after sunset.

If you get there before 9, the gate will be locked. DCR lists other free pull-offs along South Border Road. Read the signs before you park outside the lot, and don't block a gate. Our parking guide covers every lot.

Walks From Bellevue Pond

Up to Wright's Tower. DCR says the trails and fire roads around the pond include routes up to Wright's Tower, which looks out over the Boston Basin. Friends of the Fells walks from here to Pine Hill and the tower describe views of Medford, Boston and the Blue Hills.

The Skyline Trail. Bellevue Pond is one of DCR's suggested starting points for the white-blazed Skyline Trail, a 7.6-mile loop around the western Fells. DCR rates it difficult and puts it at about 5 hours.

Lawrence Woods. Southwest of South Border Road, Lawrence Woods has many wide fire roads, views and vernal pools.

Around the pond. Trails and wide fire roads surround the pond. Because it's a seasonal pond, how much water you see depends on the time of year.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: the start of a walk up to Wright's Tower, families who want wide fire roads instead of rocky single track, and starting the Skyline Trail.

Maybe skip if: you want to swim. Swimming isn't allowed here. The only place to swim in the Fells is the Wright's Pond beach, for Medford residents. If your dog needs to run off leash, go to the Sheepfold.

Getting Here by Bus

Take the Orange Line to Wellington, then the #100 bus to Roosevelt Circle. Walk south to the rotary, turn right on South Border Road, and the Bellevue Pond entrance is 0.2 miles up on the right. More options are on our public transit page.

Rules to Know

• The reservation is open dawn to dusk.
• No swimming.
• Dogs on a leash, with up to four dogs per person. Pick up and carry out all waste.
• No grilling, open fires, drones or alcohol.
• Stay on official trails, and avoid them after heavy rain. See the trail map.